Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-16
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH is APPLIED TO A
Il peculiar disorder of the nostrils and ad-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent, and is productive of very serious
The most prominent and characterize
feature is a morbid discharge from the head
varying in its nature at different times
In some there is an almost constant flow
OF clear, aCrid fluid, hut Oftener an offensive,
purulent or muco-purulent greenish yellow
matter Is secreted, which accumulates in
the nostrils or drops into the throat, neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or expectOration, and often by both
processes. Sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state of rotten
ness, so great is the amount of matter dis
charged and SO fetid is its Odor. The pa
tient is greatly annoyed by the constant
matter from the head, and as recumbent
position naturally favOrs the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are obliged to lie With
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with ssme degree OF comfort.
In others a tough, viscid and offensive
phlegm collects behind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhering to the parts with gluish tenac-
ity. Its lodgment .embarrasses respiration
and creates sensation of irritation and un-
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to a constant and almost irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat so as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, popularity known
as hawking" is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as embarrassing to the one af-
fected as it is disagreeable to those around
him.
Again, the offensive matter hardens and
deposits itself on the mem brane in the shape
charged by way of the nostrils or throat in
Jumps or fragments of deep green tint. In
some cases these incrustations accumulate
to such an extent as to form regular plug
h sa1N
produce serious discomfort. So firmly do
these incrustations adhere to the point of
attachment that their removal usually re-
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the mem
brane. Occasionally a solid cast of notable
size is expelled, on which there are generally
traces of blood, but i'll some cases the cast
presents tubular appearance, being of exact
shape of the nasal cavity This condition is
indicative of liberation, which, in time,
may destroy the bony structure of the nose
and produce subsequent fattentng of that
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with in which
thick, visCid, Shiny secretion coats the
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putrefies, giving rise to a stencil which is
really Overpowering, and sufficiently fetid
to poison the atmosphere of a whole room;
and there are others in which all the secre-
tiOns of the membrane are suspended, caus-
ing an unpleasant feeling of dryness, heat
condition popularly known as DRY
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities of the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to dist essing sensation of
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to feeling OF fulness,
heat, irritation, sort ness or pal in the nos
trils near the root of the nose, as well as in
the upper part of the throat above and be-
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there is
pain obstinately fixed in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top of the
head, at the back of the neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself in the face of SO severe character
that it is frequently mistaken for neuralgia
assumes an exceeding fetid and sickening
odor. In some cases it becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
object of disgust to himself as well as to
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, ana often on both. giving rise to a
disagreeable, stutfy sensation in the head,
and OccasiOning violent and prolonged
parOXySmS of sneezing.
The voice is weak, Indistinct and husky.
or OF a nasal character displaying a sort of
smiling quality. Oftentimes there is con-
unuOus hoarseness and discOrdance There
is also sense of irritation in the part,
and frequent attempts to clear the throat of
phlegm, producing the sound 'hem," more
or less forcibly. In some cases patients
complain of an uncomfortable feeling of
fullness, or a choky sensation in the throat,
and in others of a distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief of
which they have to swallow frequently.
others; again, speak of a constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth or throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or less
and becomes weak and irritable; the appe-
tite is capricious and nearly always bad in
the morning. The patient is languid, unable
to perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, is nervous, depressed in
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agitated and
inclined to drowsiness and sleep, the mem
ory weakened and permanent impairment
seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
morbidly sensitive to unfavorable infu-
ences, and in spite of the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, SO
that at last a breath of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive OF
cold and gives rise to serious disturbances
of the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
is subject to frequent and repeated colds,
each attack aggravating the disease by CIV
ing it a new impulse and involving larger
extent of surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from or
gan to organ, invading the throat, larnyx,
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-
the finer qualifications of the brOnchi, when
but slight impulse is required to send it to
the lungs. Catarrh may, and often does,
affect other organs in the body, especially
1Hosc Cohldihh hS huoous ioiipie any, SUM
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc.
By the employment OF proper inhalatlons
in the form of medicated vapor (not steam
or spray we are able to produce immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
in the pharynX and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities, where it is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications. By these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
of practice can use the remedy at home as
well as at our office, and which will cause
no inconvenience or hindrance to business
whatever.
that do not consider any case hopeless un-
less the disease has advanced to the chest
and that both lungs are seriously involved.
Even then the inhalations aid us in dig
solving the mucus and in contracting and
healing the cavities, which nothing else can
do with the same success. The very best
references from those already cured.